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swatcoderyesterday at 6:48 PM2 repliesview on HN

It's not been formally evidenced as beneficial in younger, healthy people (there just haven't been studies) so receiving it is "off label".

It's possible to find someone who would write a prescription for it anyway, as with many off label prescriptions with low perceived risk of harm, but insurance is unlikely to cover it.

Many/most doctors won't do that, though, especially without at least some kind of specific reason (like having recurrent cases already).


Replies

kibayesterday at 6:54 PM

"Low risk" unfortunately doesn't mean no risk. I wish to be vaccinated against all disease, but rationally I must acknowledge very low probability event of harm from vaccination. It's why they're recommended only for 50 and older.

brendoelfrendoyesterday at 7:06 PM

As someone who got shingles in his 30s, it seems weird that a vaccine requires formal evidence to be beneficial to a younger population. Are there known side-effects that might outweigh the benefits? Shingles sucks at any age, making people wait to get the vaccine just because shingles is more common in the elderly seems odd.

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